Dara Shikoh remained the torchbearer of social harmony: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi addressed an international conference on “Why Dara Shikoh Matters Today: Remembering His Works and Personality” on December 28.

The international conference was organised by Aligarh Muslim University in New Delhi. While speaking at the conference Naqvi was of the view that “fogey and prejudiced politics” created misconception on the legacy of Dara Shikoh.

Those who participated in the conference were RSS Joint General Secretary Dr Krishna Gopal, Aligarh Muslim University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tariq Mansoor, Jamia Millia Islamia University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar, Maulana Azad National Urdu University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ainul Hasan, Cultural Counsellor of Iran Dr Mohammad Ali Rabbani among others.

“Harmony, tolerance, “Sarva Dharma Sambhav” is the soul of India and "Unity in Diversity" is the strength of the country. Dara Shikoh remained the torchbearer of social harmony and religious unity his entire life,” Naqvi said.

He added, “While on one hand, the believers of almost all religions of the world live in India; on the other hand, a large number of atheists also exist in the country with equal constitutional and social rights. This strength of “Unity in Diversity” makes India “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”.”

According to Naqvi, India is the only country in the world where festivals and other joyous occasions of all religions are celebrated together. “We need to keep this shared cultural heritage and legacy of co-existence strengthened. Any attempt to disturb this fabric of unity and harmony will hurt the soul of India,” he said.